CORNWALL, Ontario – The Cornwall Civic Complex was alive with energy this Saturday, Apr. 15 as thousands came out to enjoy an evening of live professional boxing.
Headlining the Liveco Boxing card was hometown hero, Tony Luis – fighting perhaps the most difficult match of his career against Mexican Noe ‘El Dengue’ Nuñez. Another local on the card was Akwesasne native, Ronnie ‘Rocket’ Robidoux fighting Jesus Ortega.
Opening the card was 19-year-old California-native Brandon ‘El Pantera’ Andujo up against P.G. Tondo of the Philippines fighting in the Super Flyweight division. After four intense rounds, a draw was called, with Andujo receiving majority vote, scoring 39-37.
Up next was Mississauga’s Michael Brandon fighting Mexico’s Michell Polina, as welterweights squared off for a four-round bout. Chris Johnson is known to be one of the more vocal trainers in the league, and reminded Brandon to ‘keep dancing’ around his opponent before concluding in a unanimous 40-36 victory.
With local fans supporting him, Akwesasne’s Ronnie ‘Rocket’ Robidoux stepped into the ring against Jesus Ortega. Picking up the pace heading into the fourth round, Robidoux put up a relentless fight, leaving him undefeated at 4-0 2KO.
Next on the card was Albany native, ‘ILL’ Will Madera against Mexico’s Omar Valenzuela, who took a protection count in the first round before being down for the count in the fifth of a scheduled eight rounds, bringing Madera to 9-0.
The next eight-round match featured Mexican powerhouse Alfredo ‘Matador’ Chavez against Canadian Olympian, Custio Clayton of Nova Scotia. Hoping for redemption after two losses, Chavez was no match for Clayton, whose right hand had a deadly effect on him, giving him the knockout before the end of the first round.
Finally, the moment everyone had been waiting for.
The excitement, palpable in the arena as Luis stepped into the ring, embracing fans along the way. A resounding chant of ‘Tony! Tony!’ echoing through the Civic Complex, Luis looked stoic.
Stepping fully into the role of coach, father, Jorge Luis had to rein Tony in a few times during the first and second rounds, reminding him to ‘stay small,’ and pace himself.
In the third round, Luis’ deadly combinations sent Nuñez to his knees, whose final attempts were dashed by Luis’ incessant body shots, ultimately costing him the fight.
With a knockout into the seventh round, Luis successfully upped his record to 23-3.
“I think my opponent was one tough customer,” said Luis. “I think he might have given some other guys a pretty long night.”
After the fight, Luis gave an honourable mention to long time boxing promoter and mentor, Bob Miller who had been paralyzed in a car accident, and was ringside at the event.
“He’s in his own fight now and he’s determined to get his body back,” said Luis.
Father, Jorge Luis could not have been any prouder, but he was certainly relieved to put the fight behind him.
“I died a hundred deaths this past week,” said Jorge. “I was so stressed leading up to the fight, but Tony was well-prepared and we worked as a great team out there.”
Daughter, Vanessa Luis was also present in the singing of the National Anthem, which admittedly, had Jorge ‘pretty choked up.’
“I’m very lucky to have such great kids,” said Jorge. “I couldn’t be happier.”
